A system for tracking and steering a downhole tool using an augmented reality device. A tracker tracks the location of a downhole tool as it moves underground and transmits data to the device, while one or more sensors measure a position and orientation of the device. The device analyzes the data received from the tracker and the sensors and generates a virtual image of the downhole tool. The virtual image is displayed on the device at its detected location relative to the ground surface and relative to the position of the device. The position of the displayed virtual image is modified in response to updated information from the tracker or the sensors. Virtual images representing various parameters of the drilling operation are also displayed on the device in juxtaposition with the virtual image of the downhole tool.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
2. The system of claim 1, in which the downhole tool further comprises a beacon configured to emit a magnetic dipole field.
4. The system of claim 1, in which the one or more controllers are further configured to generate a virtual image or images of underground obstacles within the field of view and display the virtual image or images of the underground obstacles on the screen.
5. The system of claim 4, in which the heat map further indicates the proximity of the downhole tool to the underground obstacles.
6. The system of claim 1, in which the position of the downhole tool in the virtual image is updated in response to updated information received by the one or more controllers from the one or more downhole sensors.
7. The system of claim 1, in which the one or more controllers are configured to generate a virtual image of an actual borepath created beneath the ground surface by the downhole tool and display the virtual image of the actual borepath on the screen.
8. The system of claim 1, in which the one or more controllers are configured to generate a virtual image of a projected borepath for the downhole tool, based on the position and orientation of the downhole tool, and display the virtual image of the projected borepath on the screen.
9. The system of claim 1, in which the one or more controllers are configured to generate a virtual image of the planned borepath and display the virtual image of the planned borepath on the screen.
11. The system of claim 10, in which the one or more controllers are further configured to generate a virtual image or images of underground obstacles within the field of view and display the virtual image or images of the underground obstacles on the screen.
12. The system of claim 11, in which the heat map further indicates the proximity of the downhole tool to the underground obstacles.
13. The system of claim 10, in which the one or more controllers are configured to generate a virtual image of an actual borepath created beneath the ground surface by the downhole tool and display the virtual image of the actual borepath on the screen.
14. The system of claim 10, in which the one or more controllers are configured to generate a virtual image of a projected borepath for the downhole tool, based on the position and orientation of the downhole tool, and display the virtual image of the projected borepath on the screen.
15. The system of claim 10, in which the one or more controllers are configured to generate a virtual image of the planned borepath and display the virtual image of the planned borepath on the screen.
19. The system of claim 16, in which the one or more operational parameters further comprises maintenance notifications for the drill rig; and in which the one or more controllers are configured to generate a virtual image of the maintenance notifications and display the maintenance notifications on the screen.
20. The system of claim 16, in which the virtual image of the parameters for the pipe box is displayed on the screen in response to the appearance of the pipe box within the field of view of the device.
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April 20, 2023
July 30, 2024
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